Royal jelly is the equivalent of breast milk for bees. It is produced by the hypopharyngeal glands located in the heads of worker bees. During the first three days of their lives, at the egg stage, it is the only food for all bees. Subsequently, the workers are fed a mixture of royal jelly, pollen, and honey, while the queen will continue to be fed only royal jelly throughout her life.

Royal jelly determines, at a very early stage of development, whether the tiny larva will become a queen capable of laying up to 2000 eggs or a sterile worker.

It is a source of proteins, amino acids, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. It is widely believed to have a beneficial effect on humans.